INTRAEPIDERMAL IGA IN A CHILD - DEMONSTRA TION OF A TARGET ANTIGEN IDENTICAL TO FOLIACEUS PEMPHIGUS

Introduction. Intraepidermal IgA pustulosis is a vesiculopustular derm atosis defined by pemphigus type intercellular deposit exclusively of IgA. It is a member of the pemphigus group and may be related to neutr ophilic dermatoses. Case report. A child had vesiculopustular lesions of the limbs since the age of 11 years. Biopsy showed the subcorneal i ntraepidermal nature of the pustules and exclusive IgA deposit through out the epiderma. Indirect immunofluorescence and protein immunoelectr ophoreses were negative. Immunotransfer to beef tongue extract evidenc ed a 150-160 kDa band corresponding to IgA and IgG desmoglein. Treatme nt with general corticosteroids followed by pristinamycin was successf ul. Discussion. This is the first case report showing evidence of anti epidermal antibodies directed against the superficial pemphigus antige n.